Ezra

Ezra Homework

1. Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the book.

Ezra was written (most likely by Ezra) to the people of Israel right after they had come out of Exile. (1:1) They were coming out of Babylon both hopeful and vulnerable. This was unknown territory. But God wanted to remind his people that they still have favor with Him! After 70 years in Babylon, God had stirred the heart of the Persian King Cyrus to not only allow them out of exile and back to their own land, but he funded the rebuilding of their temple out of their own treasury (1:2-4). Many tried to stop the progress. There were many decrees sent out as an attempt to get them to stop (4:11-22), but God’s favored remained until completion. 

This gave them hope (3:4-6). They all came together, giving whatever was needed to rebuild the temple as it is meant to be (1:4). However, it did not take long for them to fall into their old practices and begin marrying outside of their beliefs (9:1-2). Ezra immediately confronts, and instead of years past when they were lash out at the prophet, the people choose to repent and turn back to the Lord (10:17). Such a moment of victory for the people. 

2. What does this book show of the Character and Nature of God as well as His plan for redemption?

This is a huge step for the people! God is so good and so faithful to bring them out of exile. Yet in their vulnerability, he anted to prove to them that he is indeed sovereign and is watching over them (5:5). The people likely would have been unsure of God’s character but he was wanting to reestablish who he was. And through it, the people see his loving kindness, his faithfulness, and his longing to dwell among them (9:13). The being walking towards the redemption that he has promised. 

3. Application 

“This was because Ezra was determined to study and obey the law of the Lord and to teach these decrees to the people of Israel.” (7:10)

This is my heart cry. This is what I want to do. It’s so basic, but so so so important to the kingdom of God. It all comes down to his word. Not the latest greatest book by the latest greatest author. It’s the Bible. We take it for granted. But if we were to all devoted ourselves to knowing it intimately, obeying it every day, and teaching it to others who will do the same, think of where we’d be.

4. Point of Passion

God establishes rules for a reason. He clearly tells the people to not enter into marriage with the other nations around them. This is why it is such a heartbreaking moment for Ezra when he realizes that just moments after coming out of exile, this command has already been broken. But we know that God set this in place to protect the people. This was the down fall of Solomon. 

While it is not interracial marriage that we need to stay away from today, it’s marriage within religion. God sets this standard very clearly in order that there is unity. Marriage is supposed to be one heart and one mind centered and based on the Lord. If there are other opinions of religion, this cane never happen. And this only gets trickier with children.